I recently read a great article about night hiking. Quite honestly, the concept of hiking at night never really crossed my mind, but after reading “Night Hiking in the Western United States” by Patricia Poulin, I think I’m sold.
Poulin first makes the point that not everyone enjoys the hot summer heat, so hiking in the cool of evening is the obvious alternative. In addition to staying cool, you’re also more likely to enjoy the solitude of less crowded trails. Not to mention, you’re trading mundane blue skies for the endless beauty of (hopefully) clear starry nights!
The change of scenery doesn’t come without a few changes in preparation however. In fact, since you are hiking after nightfall, more caution than normal should be exercised. Poulin offers a few night hike precautions:
- Check the weather forecast, including low temperatures.
- Pack just as much water as you would during a day hike. The same goes for snacks, too.
- Wear adequate layers. Pack extra.
- Use familiar or well-maintained trails. Remember, everything looks different in the dark.
- Use an LED flashlight or headlamp, preferably with a red lens, like the Revolution Dual Color Headlamp (pictured above). These lights are easier on the eyes at night.
Tags: hiking at night, LED flashlight, LED headlamp, night hiking, Revolution Dual Color Headlamp
